Command Performance Read Online Free PDF Page B

curtsy. Protocol aside, a curtsy in a bikini wasn’t practical. She stayed as she was. “I’ve slathered on a pint of sunscreen, and I wasn’t intending to stay out much longer. Besides, living in Houston toughens the skin.”
    “It hasn’t appeared to.” Minister of state or not, Alexander pulled a chair up and sat. “You’ve been to the center?”
    “Yes. You and your family are to be congratulated. It’s wonderful.”
    “Then you’ll agree to have your company perform?”
    “I’ll agree to negotiate a contract.” Eve pulled the back of her chaise up so that she could settle into a sitting position. “The facilities are first-class. If we can iron out the details, we’ll both have what we want.”
    “Such details are for lawyers and accountants,” he said in dismissal. “We need only agree on what is to be done.”
    Though she thought her father would have been amused by his attitude toward accountants, she folded her hands. “We’ll agree after the lawyers and accountants have had their say.”
    “It appears you’ve become a businesswoman.”
    “It doesn’t just appear, I have. Don’t you approve of women in business, Your Highness?”
    “Cordina is a forward-looking country. We don’t approve or disapprove on the basis of gender.”
    “The royal ‘we,’” she murmured under her breath. “I’m sure that’s very progressive. Aren’t you roasting in that jacket?”
    “There’s a breeze.”
    “Don’t you ever unbutton your collar or take off your shoes?”
    “I beg your pardon?”
    “Never mind. You’re too literal.” She lifted a glass filled with citrus punch from the table beside her. The ice had melted, but it was still refreshing. “Do you ever use the pool, Your Highness?”
    “When time permits.”
    “Ever hear the American saying about all work and no play?”
    He sat coolly in the baking sun, the gold-and-ruby ring on his finger glinting. His eyes were shadowed. “I believe I have.”
    “But it doesn’t apply to princes?”
    “I apologize for not being able to entertain you.”
    “I don’t need entertainment.” Frustrated, she rose. When he stood, she spun on him. “Oh sit, will you? It’s only the two of us. Don’t you think women get tired of having a man pop up everytime they do?”
    Alexander settled again, surprised to find himself amused. “No.”
    “Well, they do. It might do you some good to spend more time in America, learning how to unbend.”
    “I’m not in a position to unbend,” he said quietly and Eve felt her temper ease away.
    “All right, though I can’t understand why that’s true with a friend of the family. You’ll have to excuse me, Your Highness. I’ve little patience with unnecessary formality.”
    “Then why don’t you ever call me by my name?” His question had her turning to face him again, frowning and uncomfortable. “You said yourself, we’ve known each other for years.”
    “I was wrong.” She said it slowly, sensing something under the surface. “We don’t know each other at all.”
    “You have no trouble addressing the other members of my family by their names rather than their titles.”
    She wished for her drink again, but found herself unable to cross near him to get it. “No, I don’t.”
    “It causes me to ask myself why.” With his eyes on hers, he rose and walked to her. When they were close, face-to-face, he stopped, but kept his hands at his side. “Or perhaps I should ask you why.”
    “It never seemed appropriate, that’s all.”
    Nerves? He’d never seen nerves in her before. Intrigued, he stepped closer. “Have I been unfriendly?”
    “Yes—no.” She caught herself taking a step back.
    “Which is it?”
    “No.” She stood firm and called herself a fool. “You’re always polite, Your Highness. I know you’ve never approved of me, but—”
    “I’ve given that impression?”
    He was closer again. She hadn’t even seen him move. Eve fell back on the only defense at hand.